CVE-2017-8502 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office allows a remote code execution vulnerability due to the way that it handles objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8501.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8502 represents a critical remote code execution flaw that affects multiple versions of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory during the processing of specially crafted malicious files, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw specifically manifests when Office applications attempt to parse and render malformed or specially constructed file objects, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through routine office document interactions, making it highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the manipulation of memory structures within Microsoft Office applications, specifically during the processing of compound document formats and embedded objects. When Office encounters malformed data structures in documents, the memory management routines fail to properly validate input parameters, leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" classifications, which are fundamental memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8502 extends far beyond simple document processing, as it represents a significant threat vector in enterprise environments where Office applications are ubiquitously used. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through phishing emails containing malicious attachments, drive-by downloads from compromised websites, or through social engineering campaigns that trick users into opening infected documents. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002: "User Execution: Malicious File" and T1059.001: "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" when combined with other attack vectors. Organizations face potential data breaches, lateral movement within networks, and complete system takeovers when this vulnerability is successfully exploited, particularly in environments where users have administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8502 should encompass multiple layers of defense including immediate patching of affected Office versions, implementation of email filtering solutions to block malicious attachments, and user education programs to reduce social engineering success rates. Microsoft released security updates that addressed this vulnerability through memory validation improvements and enhanced input sanitization routines. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional protection by limiting the potential attack surface. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous Office process behavior and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that remain vulnerable, as this vulnerability affects legacy Office versions that may not receive continued support, making proactive remediation essential for maintaining security posture.